Shooting to Defend Your Dog?

This is a discussion on Shooting to Defend Your Dog? within the Carry & Defensive Scenarios forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; Folks, let's discuss the topic, and dispense with the personal attacks.
Thanks in advance.
Matt...

About 25 years ago, the friend who taught me reloading had this little mutt dog. Nothing special about it, but it was his constant companion. Where he went, the dog went. He had some riff-raff neighbors who had this dog that I'm guessing was mostly Chow. Vicious thing that would run at and attack my friends little dog each time they went outside. He called the police multiple times, but the dog was always back home by the time they arrived, so nothing was ever done. One time as he and his mutt were heading to his truck for a trip to the shooting range, this Chow comes running again. My friend pulled a pistol and killed the dog on the spot and then called the police. Police show up and issue him a citation for discharging a firearm inside the city limits and tell the riff-raff neighbors to get rid of the carcass. From that day forward, my friend always referred to that citation as the best $25.00 he ever spent.

I have always gotten along with all of the neighbors in my area. A couple of years ago, one of my neighbors had someone visiting for a few days over the holidays. These visitors had two large dogs (Akitas, I believe) that for some reason, even though in a strange area, they thought would hang around outside the house even though not on a leash. My wife had let our little Rat Terrier outside to do his morning business and we both suddenly hear a horrendous howl on our back porch. We run outside and both of these dogs were attacking our dog right there on our porch. A few swift kicks and they ran off but I put a pistol in my pocket (these dogs were still running loose) and walk over to the neighbors house. I politely told them what had happened and that although I wanted no hard feelings, if those dogs showed up in my yard again, they wouldn't be coming home. They understood and tied up the dogs. Luckily, our little dog only sustained minor injuries so got the bleeding stopped and applied antibiotics and he was fine. Ordinance or not against discharging a firearm in the city limits, had those dogs returned, they would have remained there.

My dog is my best friend but a little or semi big scrap I would like to see how he holds his own.

That is a poor socialization practice. If you do not correct the behavior immediately the dog will recognize your acceptance and the next time that he is around another dog, he may be the one to bite first. If he ever happens to get off-leash and bites first, he may be the one that gets shot.

i wouldn't shoot it. A human is much bigger than a dog and simply punting it square in the face/ribs/legs should do enough damage to change its mind, and if it didn't I would deploy my knife. I know you don't want these options in the equation, but thats like taking gravity out of physics problems. I think the police/whoever is gonna decide how much trouble you are in would be a bit more leanient with a stabbing/punting than a shooting. I'd def call the 5-0 aftewards tho. Bottom line I was attacked by a stray dog when I was in fourth grade I killed it. With a rock and my fists and my feet. A grown man should be able to deter it from killing his dog. I cornored it on accident (was walking my normal route home) and he got scarred and started attacking. Rabies shots hurt.

I've researched this in the past for where I live. My local ordinances allow me to use force to defend my property and other people from dangerous animals. Under VA law, my dog is my property....and there are dogs in my area deemed dangerous (as demonstrated by my son's 32 stitches)--so, where I live, yes, I can shoot to defend my dog. Whether I do or not, is situation dependent.

I've researched this in the past for where I live. My local ordinances allow me to use force to defend my property and other people from dangerous animals. Under VA law, my dog is my property....and there are dogs in my area deemed dangerous (as demonstrated by my son's 32 stitches)--so, where I live, yes, I can shoot to defend my dog. Whether I do or not, is situation dependent.

Where do you live in VA that you can shoot to defend property? Never heard of that being the law anywhere in this state. Pre-emption means they can't have a law tougher than the state law, but that wouldn't apply to your city or county. I may want to live there, because I thought Texas was my only option to this point.

Where I am in VA I can't shoot to defend property, and as noted a dog is property under the law. However, it would depend on the situation. Probably just kill the attacking dog by hand or with a knife and save the bullet.

I guess it would depend on the dog and how many of them. If it was only one dog and not a pit I'd probably just dive in with the Ka-bar and rip him to pieces. If it was a pit I'd shoot it asap. No cop would question it...a loose pit is a big If it were a couple of any other dogs I'd try a warning shot and see what happened...if they ran, I'd exit stage left...I don't see a need to alert the popo with such a trivial matter. They've got better things to do.

OK... first post. I have a well-behaved half Springer Spaniel/half Pit Bull (hyper with an attitude!) that WADED thru a pack of hunting dogs (Black & Tans) that made the mistake of interrupting his feeding time. He's not much in the way of size, smaller than a Lab, but the only concern I had was having to dig such a large hole for the pack!
So I guess it depends on the type of dog we're talking about. Lap dogs, pick them up and go on the offensive. With Buster, it's best just to stay clear 'til he's done his job.

OK... first post. I have a well-behaved half Springer Spaniel/half Pit Bull (hyper with an attitude!) that WADED thru a pack of hunting dogs (Black & Tans) that made the mistake of interrupting his feeding time. He's not much in the way of size, smaller than a Lab, but the only concern I had was having to dig such a large hole for the pack!
So I guess it depends on the type of dog we're talking about. Lap dogs, pick them up and go on the offensive. With Buster, it's best just to stay clear 'til he's done his job.

Not all dogs need alot of help, I know what my dog means to me. If a few punches get thrown and that's it, he took care of it, I would not shoot someone's dog for being a dog!!